MANKATO — Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Luke Strand announced the team’s captains for the 2024-25 season on Tuesday, with Josh Groll being named captain and Jordan Power, Zack Krajnik and Mason Wheeler being named alternate captains.
Groll, a fifth-year senior, earned the team’s hardest worker award last season and finished with a career-high 20 points (7-13—20). In 104 career games over three seasons with the Mavericks, Groll has 43 points (16-27—43).
MSU coach Luke Strand acknowledged that Groll isn’t one of the most talkative players in the MSU locker room, there are plenty of ways to lead.
“He’s got a demeanor that doesn’t panic and a work ethic that doesn’t quit,” Strand said. “It’s easy for people to migrate toward him.”
Power and Krajnik are also seniors, while Wheeler is a junior now in his second season as an alternate captain.
Power, a defenseman, played three seasons at Clarkson before transferring to MSU last year. Krajnik is a forward entering his fourth year in the MSU program, while Wheeler, a defenseman, enters his third.
Strand is confident the captains will complement each other well, which should allow the leadership group to deliver whatever message is needed in any situation.
“(Wheeler), (Krajnik) and (Power) have a makeup that is maybe a little more outgoing,” Strand said. “People migrate to them sometimes in a different way than maybe Groll.”
The Mavericks open the season Oct. 4-5 with a road series against Michigan.
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